Electrical shielding for a receptacle connector assembly

ABSTRACT

A receptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle cage including cage walls including a top wall and forming a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module. The top wall includes an opening open to the pluggable module. The receptacle connector assembly includes an EMI gasket coupled to the top wall at the opening. The EMI gasket provides electrical shielding at the opening. The EMI gasket has a base including a mounting surface coupled to the top wall of the receptacle cage. The EMI gasket has a plurality of mating interfaces. The receptacle connector assembly includes a heat sink coupled to the receptacle cage having a heat sink base with a thermal interface located in the module channel and configured to engage the pluggable module to dissipate heat from the pluggable module. The base engages the mating interfaces of the EMI gasket to electrically connect the heat sink to the EMI gasket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to receptacle connectorassemblies.

Some communication systems utilize receptacle assemblies havingcommunication connectors to interconnect various components of thesystem for data communication. The receptacle assemblies includereceptacle cages that receive pluggable modules, such as I/O modules,that are electrically connected to the communication connector. Thereceptacle cages provide electrical shielding, such as EMI shielding,for the pluggable modules. Some known communication systems provide heatsinks attached to the receptacle cage to dissipate heat from thepluggable module. The heat sinks are typically mounted to the top ofreceptacle cage by a clip or spring that provides downward force topress the heat sink into the receptacle cage to interface with thepluggable module and force the heat sink through an opening in the topwall of the receptacle cage to interface with the pluggable module.Known receptacle cages are not without disadvantages. For instance, theopening in the top wall of the receptacle cage provides an area forpotential EMI leakage.

A need remains for a receptacle cage having improved EMI shielding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a receptacle connector assembly is provided. Thereceptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle cage including cagewalls including a top wall. The cage walls form a module channelconfigured to receive a pluggable module. The cage walls extend betweena front end and a rear end of the receptacle cage. The top wall includesan opening open to the pluggable module. The receptacle connectorassembly includes an EMI gasket coupled to the top wall at the opening.The EMI gasket provides electrical shielding at the opening. The EMIgasket has a base including a mounting surface. The mounting surface ofthe base of the EMI gasket is coupled to the top wall of the receptaclecage. The EMI gasket has a plurality of mating interfaces. Thereceptacle connector assembly includes a heat sink coupled to thereceptacle cage. The heat sink includes a heat sink base having athermal interface. The thermal interface is located in the modulechannel and configured to engage the pluggable module to dissipate heatfrom the pluggable module. The base engages the mating interfaces of theEMI gasket to electrically connect the heat sink to the EMI gasket.

In another embodiment, a receptacle connector assembly is provided. Thereceptacle connector assembly includes a receptacle cage including cagewalls including a top wall. The cage walls form a module channelconfigured to receive a pluggable module. The cage walls extend betweena front end and a rear end of the receptacle cage. The top wall includesan opening open to the pluggable module. The top wall includes an innersurface and an outer surface. The inner surface faces the modulechannel. The receptacle connector assembly includes a heat sink coupledto the receptacle cage. The heat sink includes a heat sink base having athermal interface. The thermal interface is located in the modulechannel and is configured to engage the pluggable module to dissipateheat from the pluggable module. The receptacle connector assemblyincludes an EMI gasket electrically coupled to the top wall andelectrically coupled to the base of the heat sink. The EMI gasketsurrounds the opening to provide electrical shielding at the opening.The EMI gasket has a base and a plurality of mating interfaces. The EMIgasket extends into the module channel to engage at least one of the topwall and the heat sink.

In a further embodiment, a communication system is provided. Thecommunication system includes a pluggable module including an outerhousing extending between a mating end and a cable end. The pluggablemodule includes an upper wall and a lower wall. The pluggable module hasa cavity between the upper wall and the lower wall. The pluggable modulehas a module circuit card in the cavity including a card edge proximateto the mating end of the outer housing. The communication systemincludes a receptacle connector assembly including a receptacle cagehaving cage walls forming a module channel receiving the pluggablemodule. The cage walls include a top wall having an opening. The cagewalls extend between a front end and a rear end of the receptacle cage.The receptacle connector assembly includes a communication connectorhaving a card slot received in the receptacle cage proximate to the rearend. The pluggable module is loaded into the module channel to mate thecard edge of the module circuit card with the communication connector.The receptacle connector assembly includes an EMI gasket coupled to thetop wall at the opening providing electrical shielding at the opening.The EMI gasket has a base including a mounting surface. The mountingsurface of the base of the EMI gasket is coupled to the top wall of thereceptacle cage. The EMI gasket has a plurality of mating interfaces.The receptacle connector assembly includes a heat sink coupled to thereceptacle cage. The heat sink includes a heat sink base having athermal interface. The thermal interface is located in the modulechannel to engage the pluggable module to dissipate heat from thepluggable module. The base engages the mating interfaces of the EMIgasket to electrically connect the heat sink to the EMI gasket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system formed inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a pluggable module for thecommunication system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing a receptacle cage and a heat sink with an EMI gasket inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the communication system showingthe receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasket in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing the EMI gasket relative to the receptacle cage inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing the receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasketin accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the communication system showingthe receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasket in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing the receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasketin accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing the receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasketin accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing the receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gaskettherebetween in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a portion of the communication system showingthe receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasket in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing the receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gaskettherebetween in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of the communication system showingthe receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasket in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem showing the receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gaskettherebetween in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a portion of the communication system showingthe receptacle cage and the heat sink with the EMI gasket in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of the communication systemin accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the EMI gasketcoupled to the heatsink.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a communication system 100 formedin accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The communication system 100includes a circuit board 102 and a receptacle connector assembly 104mounted to the circuit board 102. A pluggable module 106 (shown in FIG.2 ) is configured to be electrically connected to the receptacleconnector assembly 104. The pluggable module 106 is electricallyconnected to the circuit board 102 through the receptacle connectorassembly 104.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104includes a receptacle cage 110 and a communication connector 112 (shownin phantom) adjacent the receptacle cage 110. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the communication connector 112 is received inthe receptacle cage 110. In other various embodiments, the communicationconnector 112 may be located rearward of the receptacle cage 110. Invarious embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 encloses and provideselectrical shielding for the communication connector 112. The receptaclecage 110 is configured to surround at least a portion of the pluggablemodule 106 to provide shielding for the pluggable module 106.

The receptacle cage 110 includes a plurality of cage walls 114surrounding a cavity 116. The cavity 116 may receive the communicationconnector 112 in various embodiments. The cavity 116 defines one or moremodule channels 118 for receipt of corresponding pluggable modules 106.The cage walls 114 may be walls defined by solid sheets, perforatedwalls to allow airflow therethrough, walls with cutouts, such as for aheat sink or heat spreader to pass therethrough, or walls defined byrails or beams with relatively large openings, such as for airflowtherethrough. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 is ametallic shielding, stamped and formed cage member with the cage walls114 being shielding walls.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 includes a singlemodule channel 118 for receiving a single pluggable module 106. Thereceptacle cage 110 has a port that is open at the front of thereceptacle cage 110 to receive the pluggable module 106. Any number ofmodule channels 118 may be provided in various embodiments. For example,the receptacle cage 110 may constitute a stacked cage member havingupper and lower module channels 118 to receive multiple pluggablemodules 106 in a stacked arrangement in an alternative embodiment. Theupper and lower module channels 118 may be arranged in a single column;however, the receptacle cage 110 may include multiple columns of gangedmodule channels 118 in alternative embodiments (for example, 2X2, 3X2,4X2, 4X3, etc.). In other various embodiments, rather than being astacked cage member, the receptacle cage 110 may include ganged modulechannels 118 in a single row (for example, 1X2, 1X4, etc.). Optionally,multiple communication connectors 112 may be arranged within thereceptacle cage 110, such as when multiple columns or rows of modulechannels 118 are provided.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cage walls 114 of the receptacle cage110 include a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132, a first side wall 134, asecond side wall 136 and a rear wall 138. The top wall 130 includes anopening 150 (shown in FIG. 3 ) therethrough. The opening 150 providesaccess to the module channel 118 and the pluggable module 106. Thebottom wall 132 may rest on the circuit board 102. However, inalternative embodiments, the receptacle cage 110 may be provided withoutthe bottom wall 132. The receptacle cage 110 extends between a front end140 and a rear end 142. The port is provided at the front end 140 toreceive the pluggable module 106 through the front end 140. The cagewalls 114 define the cavity 116. For example, the cavity 116 may bedefined by the top wall 130, the bottom wall 132, the side walls 134,136 and the rear wall 138. Other cage walls 114 may separate or dividethe cavity 116 into a plurality of module channels 118, such as stackedor ganged module channels. For example, the cage walls 114 may include adivider (not shown). The divider may be a horizontal divider positionedbetween upper and lower module channels 118. In other variousembodiments, the divider may define a vertical separator panel (notshown), such as parallel to the side walls 134, 136.

In an exemplary embodiment, the communication connector 112 is receivedin the cavity of the receptacle cage 110, such as proximate to the rearwall 138. However, in alternative embodiments, the communicationconnector 112 may be located behind the rear wall 138 exterior of thereceptacle cage 110 and extend into the cavity 116 to interface with thepluggable module(s) 106. For example, the rear wall 138 may include anopening to receive components therethrough. The communication connector112 is coupled to the circuit board 102. The receptacle cage 110 ismounted to the circuit board 102 over the communication connector 112.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable module 106 is loaded into thereceptacle cage 110 through the front end 140 to mate with thecommunication connector 112. The shielding cage walls 114 of thereceptacle cage 110 provide electrical shielding around thecommunication connector 112 and the pluggable module 106, such as aroundthe mating interface between the communication connector 112 and thepluggable modules 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage110 includes a front EMI gasket 143, which may be metallic, at the frontend 140 to interface with the pluggable module 106. The front EMI gasket143 extends into the module channel 118 to at least partially fill thespace between the cage walls 114 and the pluggable module 106 to preventEMI leakage. The front EMI gasket 143 may be electrically connected tothe receptacle cage 110 and electrically connected to the pluggablemodule 106. In various embodiments, the front EMI gasket 143 may extendaround the exterior of the receptacle cage 110 at the front end 140 tointerface with a panel (not shown) and prevent EMI leakage through thepanel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle connector assembly 104 mayinclude one or more heat sinks 144 for dissipating heat from thepluggable module(s) 106. For example, the heat sink 144 may be coupledto the top wall 130. The heat sink 144 includes a base 146 facing thepluggable module 106. The base 146 includes a thermal interfaceconfigured to be thermally coupled to the pluggable module 106. The heatsink 144 extends through the opening 150 to engage the pluggable module106 when the pluggable module 106 is received in the module channel 118.For example, the base 146 may extend into the opening 150 to engage thepluggable module 106. In various embodiments, the base 146 may include aplatform at the bottom sized and shaped to fit into the opening 150 toengage the pluggable module 106. The heat sink 144 extends through theopening 150 to directly engage the pluggable module 106. In an exemplaryembodiment, the heat sink 144 may be fixed relative to the cage walls114. For example, the heat sink 144 may be fixed relative to the topwall 130. The heat sink 144 may be secured to the cage walls 114 by aclip, fasteners, welding, adhesive, or other securing means. In othervarious embodiments, the heat sink 144 may be movable relative to thecage walls 114. For example, a spring clip may be used to couple to theheat sink 144 to the cage walls 114 that allows the heat sink 144 tomove relative to the top wall 130 (for example, move outward) whencoupled to the pluggable module 106. The spring clip may impart adownward biasing force against the heat sink 144 to press the heat sink144 into thermal contact with the pluggable module 106. The heat sink144 may be a finned heat sink having heat dissipating fins (not shown)at the top of the heat sink 144 to dissipate heat into the air flowingaround the heat sink 144. Other types of heat sinks may be provided inalternative embodiments. For example, the heat sink 144 may be a thermalbridge having a plurality of stacked plates or may be a cold platehaving liquid cooling flowing therethrough for active cooling of thecold plate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the receptacle cage 110 includes an EMIgasket 200 (shown schematically in FIG. 1 ) coupled to the top wall 130that is used to provide EMI shielding at the opening 150. The EMI gasket200 provides EMI shielding between the receptacle cage 110 and the heatsink 144. The EMI gasket 200 may be located inside the module channel118 to interface with the cage walls 114 and/or the pluggable module106. The EMI gasket 200 may be located outside the receptacle cage 110to interface with the heat sink 144. The EMI gasket 200 at leastpartially fills the space between the cage walls 114 and the heat sink144 to prevent EMI leakage through the opening 150. The EMI gasket 200may be electrically connected to the receptacle cage 110. The EMI gasket200 may be electrically connected to the heat sink 144.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the pluggable module 106 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment. The pluggable module 106 has apluggable body 180, which may be defined by one or more shells. Forexample, the pluggable body 180 may include an upper shell 190 and alower shell 192. The upper shell 190 includes a top wall 191. The lowershell 192 includes a bottom wall 193. The upper shell 190 and/or thelower shell 192 includes side walls 194, 195. The pluggable body 180includes a cavity 196 defined between the upper shell 190 and the lowershell 192. In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 180 may bethermally conductive and/or may be electrically conductive, such as toprovide EMI shielding for the pluggable module 106. For example, theupper shell 190 and the lower shell 192 may be die cast shellsmanufactured from metal material, such as aluminum. The pluggable body180 includes a mating end 182 and an opposite front end 184. The frontend 184 may be a cable end having a cable extending therefrom to anothercomponent within the system. The mating end 182 is configured to beinserted into the corresponding module channel 118 (shown in FIG. 1 ).

The pluggable module 106 includes a module circuit board 186 that isconfigured to be communicatively coupled to the communication connector112 (shown in FIG. 1 ). The module circuit board 186 has an edge 188 atthe front end 184 configured to be plugged into a card slot of thecommunication connector 112 (shown in FIG. 1 ). Contact pads areprovided at the edge 188, such as along the upper surface and the lowersurface of the module circuit board 186 for electrical connection withcontacts of the communication connector 112. The module circuit board186 is received in the cavity 196 and surrounded by the upper shell 190and the lower shell 192. The module circuit board 186 may be accessibleat the mating end 182. The module circuit board 186 may includecomponents, circuits and the like used for operating and/or using thepluggable module 106. For example, the module circuit board 186 may haveconductors, traces, pads, electronics, sensors, controllers, switches,inputs, outputs, and the like associated with the module circuit board186, which may be mounted to the module circuit board 186, to formvarious circuits.

In an exemplary embodiment, the pluggable body 180 provides heattransfer for the module circuit board 186, such as for the electroniccomponents on the module circuit board 186. For example, the modulecircuit board 186 is in thermal communication with the upper shell 190and/or the lower shell 192. The pluggable body 180 transfers heat fromthe module circuit board 186. In an exemplary embodiment, the uppershell 190 is configured to interface with the heat sink 144 (shown inFIG. 1 ) to dissipate heat from the pluggable module 106. In variousembodiments, the pluggable body 180 may include a plurality of heattransfer fins (not shown) along at least a portion of the pluggablemodule 106, such as the top wall 191. The fins transfer heat away fromthe main shell of the pluggable body 180, and thus from the modulecircuit board 186 and associated components. In the illustratedembodiment, the fins are parallel plates that extend lengthwise;however, the fins may have other shapes in alternative embodiments, suchas cylindrical or other shaped posts.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 with the EMI gasket 200 shownin phantom. FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 showing the receptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 withthe EMI gasket 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 isa top perspective view of a portion of the communication system 100 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment with the heatsink 144 removedfor clarity to illustrate the EMI gasket 200 relative to the receptaclecage 110.

The EMI gasket 200 is shaped to surround the opening 150. In theillustrated embodiment, the EMI gasket 200 is rectangular shapedsurrounding a front edge 152, a first side edge 154, a rear edge 156 anda second side edge 158 of the opening 150. For example, the EMI gasket200 includes a front gasket element 202 at the front edge 152, a firstside gasket element 204 at the first side edge 154, a rear gasketelement 206 at the rear edge 156, and a second side gasket element 208at the second side edge 158. The EMI gasket 200 may have other shapes inalternative embodiments. For example, the EMI gasket 200 may includegreater or fewer gasket element in alternative embodiments. In variousembodiments, the EMI gasket 200 may be a single piece gasket having thegasket elements integral as part of a monolithic structure.Alternatively, the EMI gasket 200 may be a multi-piece gasket having thegasket elements as separate pieces. In an exemplary embodiment, the EMIgasket 200 is a metallic stamped and formed gasket. Other types ofgaskets may be used in alternative embodiments, such as a metallic wiremesh, a conductive polymer, and the like.

The EMI gasket 200 includes a base 210 and shielding members 212extending from the base 210. For example, each gasket element 202, 204,206, 204 may have a corresponding base 210 and shielding members 212extending from the corresponding base 210. The base 210 physicallyconnects the shielding members 212 to hold the relative positions of theshielding members 212. The shielding members 212 may be cantileveredfrom the base 210. In an exemplary embodiment, the shielding members 212include spring fingers 214. The shielding members 212 are deflectablerelative to the base 210. For example, the shielding members 212 may becompressed against the receptacle cage 110 and/or the heat sink 144.

In an exemplary embodiment, the EMI gasket 200 is coupled to the heatsink 144. For example, the base 210 includes a mounting surface 220coupled to the heat sink 144. The mounting surface 220 may be fixed tothe heat sink 144. The mounting surface 220 may be soldered to the heatsink 144 in various embodiments. The mounting surface 220 may be securedby other means, such as welding, conductive adhesive, fasteners, clipsor other securing means. In the illustrated embodiment, the mountingsurface 220 is a top surface of the base 210 coupled to a mountingsurface 222 of the heat sink 144 (for example, a downward facing surfaceof the base 146 of the heat sink 144).

The EMI gasket 200 includes mating interfaces 230 remote from themounting surface 220. In an exemplary embodiment, the shielding members212 (for example, the spring fingers 214) include the mating interfaces230. The mating interfaces 230 are configured to engage the receptaclecage 110. For example, the mating interfaces 230 are configured toengage an outer surface 160 of the top wall 130. The mating interfaces230 are separable mating interfaces. The mating interfaces 230 arecompressed against the top wall 130. The shielding members 212substantially fill a space between the receptacle cage 110 and the heatsink 144 to provide EMI shielding around the opening 150. The EMIshielding protects the components of the communication system 100 andsurrounding electrical components. The EMI shielding may enhanceelectrical performance of the communication system 100 by reducing EMIsusceptibility and reducing crosstalk.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 with the EMI gasket 200 shownin phantom. FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 showing the receptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 withthe EMI gasket 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 6and 7 illustrate the EMI gasket 200 coupled to the top wall 130 of thereceptacle cage 110 rather than the heat sink 144. For example, the EMIgasket 200 is inverted relative to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

The EMI gasket 200 surrounds the opening 150. The base 210 of the EMIgasket 200 is mounted to the top wall 130 around the front edge 152, thefirst side edge 154, the rear edge 156 and the second side edge 158. Inan exemplary embodiment, the mounting surface 220 of the base 210 iscoupled to the outer surface 160 of the top wall 130. The mountingsurface 220 may be fixed to the top wall 130. The mounting surface 220may be soldered to the top wall 130 in various embodiments. The mountingsurface 220 may be secured by other means, such as welding, conductiveadhesive, fasteners, clips or other securing means. In the illustratedembodiment, the mounting surface 220 is a bottom surface of the base 210coupled to the outer surface 160 of the heat sink 144.

The shielding members 212 extend from the base 210 to engage the heatsink 144. The mating interfaces 230 of the shielding members 212 (forexample, the spring fingers 214) are configured to engage the heat sink144. For example, the mating interfaces 230 are configured to engage themounting surface 222 of the heat sink 144. The mating interfaces 230 areseparable mating interfaces. The mating interfaces 230 are compressedagainst the heat sink 144. The shielding members 212 substantially filla space between the receptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 to provideEMI shielding around the opening 150. The EMI shielding protects thecomponents of the communication system 100 and surrounding electricalcomponents. The EMI shielding may enhance electrical performance of thecommunication system 100 by reducing EMI susceptibility and reducingcrosstalk.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 with the EMI gasket 200 shownin phantom. FIG. 8 illustrates the EMI gasket 200 including a metallicwire mesh gasket 250 rather than a stamped and formed structure withdeflectable spring fingers. The wire mesh gasket 250 surrounds theopening 150. The wire mesh gasket 250 may be coupled to the top wall 130or the base 146 of the heat sink 144. For example, the mounting surface220 of the wire mesh gasket 250 may be fixed to the top wall 130 (or maybe fixed to the heat sink 144). The wire mesh gasket 250 substantiallyfills the space between the receptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 toprovide EMI shielding around the opening 150. The EMI shielding protectsthe components of the communication system 100 and surroundingelectrical components. The EMI shielding may enhance electricalperformance of the communication system 100 by reducing EMIsusceptibility and reducing crosstalk.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing thereceptacle cage 110 and the EMI gasket 200 with the heatsink 144removed. FIG. 9 illustrates the EMI gasket 200 including a conductiveelastomeric gasket 260 rather than a stamped and formed structure orwire mesh. The conductive elastomeric gasket 260 surrounds the opening150. The conductive elastomeric gasket 260 may be coupled to the topwall 130 or the base 146 of the heat sink 144. For example, the mountingsurface 220 of the conductive elastomeric gasket 260 may be fixed to thetop wall 130 (or may be fixed to the heat sink 144). The conductiveelastomeric gasket 260 substantially fills the space between thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 to provide EMI shieldingaround the opening 150. The EMI shielding protects the components of thecommunication system 100 and surrounding electrical components. The EMIshielding may enhance electrical performance of the communication system100 by reducing EMI susceptibility and reducing crosstalk.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 with the EMI gasket 200therebetween. FIG. 11 is a side view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 showing the receptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 withthe EMI gasket 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. A portionof the heat sink 144 is shown in phantom. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate theEMI gasket 200 coupled to an inner surface 162 of the top wall 130rather than the outer surface 160. The EMI gasket 200 is located betweenthe top wall 130 and the heat sink 144.

In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the heat sink 144 is locatedinside the module channel 118. For example, the base 146 of the heatsink 144 is inside the module channel 118 to interface with thepluggable module 106. The base 146 of the heat sink 144 is located belowthe top wall 130. A heat dissipating portion of the heat sink 144 islocated outside of the receptacle cage 110. For example, the heatdissipating fins of the heat sink 144 extend through the opening 150 toan exterior of the receptacle cage 110.

The EMI gasket 200 surrounds the opening 150. The base 210 of the EMIgasket 200 is mounted to the inner surface 162 of the top wall 130around the front edge 152, the first side edge 154, the rear edge 156and the second side edge 158. In an exemplary embodiment, the mountingsurface 220 of the base 210 is coupled to the inner surface 162 of thetop wall 130. The mounting surface 220 may be fixed to the top wall 130.The mounting surface 220 may be soldered to the top wall 130 in variousembodiments. The mounting surface 220 may be secured by other means,such as welding, conductive adhesive, fasteners, clips or other securingmeans. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting surface 220 is a topsurface of the base 210 coupled to the inner surface 162 of the heatsink 144.

The shielding members 212 extend from the base 210 to engage the heatsink 144. The shielding members 212 of the EMI gasket 200 extend intoand/or through the opening 150 from the interior of the module channel118 to an exterior of the receptacle cage 110. The mating interfaces 230of the shielding members 212 (for example, the spring fingers 214) areconfigured to engage an upper surface of the base 146 of the heat sink144. The mating interfaces 230 are separable mating interfaces. Themating interfaces 230 are compressed against the heat sink 144. Forexample, the heat sink 144 may be pressed upward against the shieldingmembers 212 to compress the shielding members 212 when the pluggablemodule 106 is plugged into the receptacle cage 110. The shieldingmembers 212 substantially fill a space between the receptacle cage 110and the heat sink 144 to provide EMI shielding around the opening 150.The EMI shielding protects the components of the communication system100 and surrounding electrical components. The EMI shielding may enhanceelectrical performance of the communication system 100 by reducing EMIsusceptibility and reducing crosstalk.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 with the EMI gasket 200therebetween. FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 showing the receptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 withthe EMI gasket 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 12and 13 illustrate the EMI gasket 200 interior and exterior of thereceptacle cage 110.

The EMI gasket 200 includes one or more clips 240 configured to beclipped onto the top wall 130. Each clip 240 is provided at the base 210of the EMI gasket 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the shielding members212 of the EMI gasket 200 include inner shielding members 242 extendingalong the inner surface 162 of the top wall 130 and outer shieldingmembers 244 extending along the outer surface 160 of the top wall 130.In various embodiments, the inner shielding members 242 include innerspring fingers 246 extending from the base 210 and the outer shieldingmembers 244 include outer spring fingers 248 extending from the base210. The spring fingers 246, 248 are deflectable spring fingers. Theinner shielding members 242 extend from a top of the base 210 and theouter shielding members 244 extend from a bottom of the base 210. Theinner shielding members 242 are located exterior of the receptacle cage110. The outer shielding members 244 are located interior of thereceptacle cage 110. The EMI gasket 200 surrounds the opening 150 withthe inner and outer shielding members 242, 244 extending along the frontedge 152, the first side edge 154, the rear edge 156 and the second sideedge 158.

In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting surface 220 of the base 210 iscoupled to the top wall 130. For example, the clip 240 may be clippeddirectly onto the top wall 130 at the edges 152, 154, 156, 158. Themounting surface 220 may be fixed to the top wall 130. The outershielding members 244 extend from the base 210 to engage the heat sink144. The inner shielding members 242 of the EMI gasket 200 extend intoand/or through the opening 150 into the module channel 118 and mayengage the pluggable module 106. The shielding members 242, 244 may becompressed when engaging the heat sink 144 or the pluggable module 106.The shielding members 242, 244 substantially fill a space between thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 to provide EMI shieldingaround the opening 150. The EMI shielding protects the components of thecommunication system 100 and surrounding electrical components. The EMIshielding may enhance electrical performance of the communication system100 by reducing EMI susceptibility and reducing crosstalk.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment showing thereceptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 with the EMI gasket 200therebetween. FIG. 15 is a side view of a portion of the communicationsystem 100 showing the receptacle cage 110 and the heat sink 144 withthe EMI gasket 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 16is a perspective view of a portion of the communication system 100 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment showing the EMI gasket 200coupled to the heatsink 144 (an upper portion of the heatsink 144 isremoved to show the EMI gasket 200. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the EMIgasket 200 interior and exterior of the receptacle cage 110. The EMIgasket 200 is coupled to the heat sink 144 rather than being coupled tothe top wall 130 as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 .

The clip 240 of the EMI gasket 200 is secured to the base 146 of theheat sink 144. The heat sink 144 may be manipulated relative to the cagetop wall 130 to fit the shielding members 242 into the interior of thereceptacle cage 110 through the opening 150. The shielding members 242may be bent or otherwise manipulated to fit into the opening 150. Themounting surface 220 of the base 210 is coupled to the base 146 of theheat sink 144. The inner shielding members 242 extend from the clip 240along the inner surface 162 of the top wall 130 and the outer shieldingmembers 244 extend from the clip 240 along the outer surface 160 of thetop wall 130. The EMI gasket 200 is positioned such that the shieldingmembers 242, 244 substantially fill a space between the receptacle cage110 and the heat sink 144 to provide EMI shielding around the opening150. The EMI shielding protects the components of the communicationsystem 100 and surrounding electrical components. The EMI shielding mayenhance electrical performance of the communication system 100 byreducing EMI susceptibility and reducing crosstalk.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials,orientations of the various components, and the number and positions ofthe various components described herein are intended to defineparameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and aremerely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of theinvention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, theterms “second,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expresslyuse the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void offurther structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receptacle connector assembly comprising: areceptacle cage including cage walls including a top wall, the cagewalls forming a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module,the cage walls extending between a front end and a rear end of thereceptacle cage, the top wall including an opening open to the pluggablemodule; an EMI gasket coupled to the top wall at the opening, the EMIgasket providing electrical shielding at the opening, the EMI gaskethaving a base including a mounting surface, the mounting surface of thebase of the EMI gasket being mounted to the top wall of the receptaclecage, the EMI gasket having shielding members extending from the baseand being flexible relative to the base, each shielding member having amating interface; and a heat sink coupled to the receptacle cage, theheat sink including a heat sink base having a thermal interface, thethermal interface located in the module channel and configured to engagethe pluggable module to dissipate heat from the pluggable module, theheat sink base engaging the shielding members at the mating interfacesof the EMI gasket to electrically connect the heat sink to the EMIgasket, wherein the heat sink is separable from the EMI gasket when theheat sink is removed from the receptacle cage.
 2. The receptacleconnector assembly of claim 1, wherein the mating interfaces of the EMIgasket are compressible when engaging the heat sink.
 3. The receptacleconnector assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is fixed to the topwall, the mating interfaces being separable mating interfaces.
 4. Thereceptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the EMI gasketincludes spring fingers extending from the base, the spring fingersincluding the mating interfaces.
 5. The receptacle connector assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the EMI gasket includes a wire mesh body.
 6. Thereceptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the EMI gasketincludes a conductive elastomeric body.
 7. The receptacle connectorassembly of claim 1, wherein the EMI gasket is coupled to an innersurface of the top wall.
 8. The receptacle connector assembly of claim1, wherein the EMI gasket extends through the opening from an interiorof the module channel to an exterior of the receptacle cage.
 9. Thereceptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the base includes aclip being clipped to the top wall at the opening.
 10. The receptacleconnector assembly of claim 1, wherein the EMI gasket includes innershielding members extending along an inner surface of the top wall andouter shielding members extending along an outer surface of the topwall.
 11. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 10, wherein theinner shielding members include inner spring fingers extending from thebase and the outer shielding members include outer spring fingersextending from the base.
 12. The receptacle connector assembly of claim1, wherein the base of the heat sink is located inside the modulechannel below the top wall, the EMI gasket being located between the topwall and the heat sink.
 13. A receptacle connector assembly comprising:a receptacle cage including cage walls including a top wall, the cagewalls forming a module channel configured to receive a pluggable module,the cage walls extending between a front end and a rear end of thereceptacle cage, the top wall including an opening open to the pluggablemodule, the top wall including an inner surface and an outer surface,the inner surface facing the module channel; and an EMI gasketelectrically coupled to the top wall and configured to be electricallycoupled to a heat sink, the EMI gasket surrounding the opening toprovide electrical shielding at the opening, the EMI gasket having abase and shielding members extending from the base, the shieldingmembers being flexible relative to the base, each shielding memberhaving a mating interface, the EMI gasket extending into the modulechannel.
 14. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 13, wherein thebase of the EMI gasket includes a mounting surface coupled to the topwall of the receptacle cage.
 15. The receptacle connector assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the EMI gasket includes spring fingers extending fromthe base, the spring fingers including mating interfaces.
 16. Thereceptacle connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the EMI gasket iscoupled to an inner surface of the top wall.
 17. The receptacleconnector assembly of claim 13, wherein the EMI gasket extends throughthe opening from an interior of the module channel to an exterior of thereceptacle cage.
 18. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 13,wherein the EMI gasket includes inner shielding members extending alongan inner surface of the top wall and outer shielding members extendingalong an outer surface of the top wall.
 19. A communication systemcomprising: a pluggable module including an outer housing extendingbetween a mating end and a cable end, the pluggable module including anupper wall and a lower wall, the pluggable module having a cavitybetween the upper wall and the lower wall, the pluggable module having amodule circuit card in the cavity including a card edge proximate to themating end of the outer housing; a receptacle connector assemblyincluding a receptacle cage having cage walls forming a module channelreceiving the pluggable module, the cage walls including a top wallhaving an opening, the cage walls extending between a front end and arear end of the receptacle cage, the receptacle connector assemblyincluding a communication connector having a card slot received in thereceptacle cage proximate to the rear end, the pluggable module beingloaded into the module channel to mate the card edge of the modulecircuit card with the communication connector, the receptacle connectorassembly including an EMI gasket coupled to the top wall at the openingproviding electrical shielding at the opening, the EMI gasket having abase including a mounting surface, the mounting surface of the base ofthe EMI gasket being coupled to the top wall of the receptacle cage, theEMI gasket having shielding members extending from the base and beingflexible relative to the base, each shielding member having a matinginterface, the receptacle connector assembly including a heat sinkcoupled to the receptacle cage, the heat sink including a heat sink basehaving a thermal interface, the thermal interface located in the modulechannel to engage the pluggable module to dissipate heat from thepluggable module, the heat sink base engaging the mating interfaces ofthe EMI gasket to electrically connect the heat sink to the EMI gasket,wherein the heat sink is separable from the EMI gasket when the heatsink is removed from the receptacle cage.
 20. The communication systemof claim 19, wherein the EMI gasket extends into the module channel toengage at least one of the top wall and the heat sink in the modulechannel.